Re: Maps available
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hah! I forgot that source code wasn't the distribution method of choice for some OSes http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Can't help you with the compilation, sorry. There isn't any C++ code in there (I even checked for C++ comments), so if you have a proper compiler it should work OK.

I have absolutely no idea what's available in the way of (free) compilers for Windows. I had a quick look at www.gnu.org, and the GCC compiler does exist for Windows if you install Cygwin, but it might be more trouble than you want.

As for the dommap program itself... it only opens two files and writes a little text to the standard output, so running it in a "DOS box" should be OK.

Re: Maps available
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You want DJGPP most likely for a DOS compiler that will likely run under windows. It's at www.delorie.com

You can also get ahold of Borland's C++ compiler for free nowadays.

Re: Maps available
 

OK, here's the thing (as I see it).

1) Maps that look similar to Aran map are not easy to make for most ppl.

2) Because of this, we don't see many ppl coming up with new maps, as you might see in other games with "level editors".

3) It wouldn't take much to change this, if we had someone to do a little work.

I downloaded and ran DomMap (the original), which is a great starting point, but this program lacks the following:

1) Maps can only be 800x599 maximum (should be 1600x1200).

2) The generated .map file is not the same as a Dom2 .map file (from what I'm told)

Making the .map file doesn't seem to be an issue, since you can use the built-in prog that comes with Dom2. Sure, some people might not want to do this, but alot more would if they had a decent map to start with.

What I'm trying to say: If we had a program (or someone modified DomMap prog, or PhilD's mod can do this) that would create 1600x1200 .tga's with clear borders, capitol dots, and no pixelation (as seen by using the -d 0 command-line switch with DomMap), and we had someone (Kristoffer?) who would convert the xcf mapstuff to a more popular format (preferably .bmp or .tga to retain quality), I could provide a Photoshop tutorial on how to take one of these randomly generated maps and make it look just like Aran map.

I don't know the capabilties of Phil's Version because I don't run Linux, and not many people do.

If PhilD's hack can run the -d 0 command-line switch, then all we need is someone who runs a linux machine to create a bunch of "base maps" for us (along with Illwinter converting the xcf files).

Re: Maps available
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Phil_D fixed that in the new one. In fact I think it can do twice that big. And all of the capabilities of the old dommap are in the new one so yes it should be able to create the kindof maps you want. I just dont generate them that way because Im too lazy to do anything with a partially done map. Is this closer?
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion.../TestingXL.jpg


<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Hmmm I think I would have worded that as not many Users do. Even thats changing rapidly since many people run linux now as just a desktop workstation rather than a server. But Im just being picky.

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Alot of us can do the conVersion. Many programmers use GIMP. Being a free and powerful paint program doesnt hurt either.

Here is a conVersion for you. You might do some other formats for others.
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion/mapstuff.tga

[ January 29, 2004, 18:27: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: Maps available
 

Getting closer?
http://www.techno-mage.com/~dominion...ndomMaps/junk/

[ January 29, 2004, 19:30: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

Re: Maps available
 

Either of those would work great (as they are missing the pixelation). I'm running into more difficulties though. *sigh* This will never be easy unless someone were to create a very powerful map designer for this game.

Basically what I was attempting to do is to take a DomMap map, delete all the color information, just retaining the province borders and capitol dots, then filling in the land and sea with Dom 2's texture, as you can see here:
http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/junky.jpg

(I just threw the mountains and stuff on there, don't pay attention to those graphics)

Problems....
The beige and blue is no problem, but then you have to draw in all the rivers by hand. If you are going to use the "mapstuff" icons (a mountain range for example), you'd have to hand-modify the province borders to follow the shape of the mountains. Have to paint in the greenery (valleys) and "forest shadows", etc... alot of work went into the maps that came with Dom2!


<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Not many people, not many Users...what's the diff between a person and a user? Yeah, you're being picky. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif A very good friend of mine is a linux fanatic, and I know exactly where you're coming from. No insult or slight intended. My meaning was that the vast majority of gamers out there are running MS Windows OS's. So if DomMap (Phil's Version) only runs on linux/unix, there won't be as many Dom2 fans using it to create maps.

Oh well... there's always the old fashioned way of hard work. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Maps available
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Not many people, not many Users...what's the diff between a person and a user? Yeah, you're being picky. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Well system admins and guru's are people too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Actually I only use linux as a server and for internet stuff. I like to keep the GUI stuff off my server. I play games on WinXP.


http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif A very good friend of mine is a linux fanatic, and I know exactly where you're coming from. No insult or slight intended. My meaning was that the vast majority of gamers out there are running MS Windows OS's. So if DomMap (Phil's Version) only runs on linux/unix, there won't be as many Dom2 fans using it to create maps.

Oh well... there's always the old fashioned way of hard work. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif [/QB][/quote]

Re: Maps available
 

Since I'm still new to this, I don't really know what people are looking for. Would there be any interest in this map, if I were to make it look similar to aran (graphically):

http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/maybe.jpg

That's 310 land, 75 sea provinces. Too many? Not enough? Choke points not good?

Re: Maps available
 

Great looking map, Targa. 20% water, wow. R'lyeh players will love it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: Maps available
 

That is alot of sea provinces. Maybe you could adjust it down some. ~30-40

And for kicks put in all the good 'underwater' sites that allow for a decent triton/shambler/watery creatures on the coasts.

Hard to tell chokepoints based on anything but neighbors.

Other than that, looks good.

Re: Maps available
 

Nice looking start there. Probably quite playable. For land/water balance I try to figure a map as being 5/10/25 provinces each. Then do the 10*15 for land and 10*2 for water.

Re: Maps available
 

OK, here's a new shot of it with 250 land, 38 water. Better?

http://www.techno-mage.com/~targa/maybe2.jpg

Re: Maps available
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Looks good to me. Making a map that way with DomMap seems like a good way to get a starting map. You can run off 100 with the same setings and look at them to see if any catch your eye. That way the provinces, capitals, #terrain settings and #neighbor settings are all figured out and any paint program can add the touches that make it special. Any word processor can add instructions that give the map a storyline and unique locations.

By the way, the MapEditor feature to add names to every province does seem to work well. Same concept. Its easier to create it and see ones you would like to change than to do it all manually from a blank slate. I have some work done on a random name generator but there hasnt been much interest.